McCarthy told NFL Network and ESPN that he is preparing to be ready to return to the occupation in 2020. The Packers fired the veteran coach on December 2 after he posted a 125-77-2 record in 13 seasons, which included a Super Bowl victory.

"We looked at everything, and it was either New York or stay out. That was our outlook," McCarthy told ESPN. "My family's excited. We were eating dinner when I got the message [about the Jets], and they all started cheering. So it was kind of funny. I think it tells you where they're at."

McCarthy and his wife Jessica have five children. He had one year remaining on his contract with the Packers.